Bridesmaids' Jewelry: Gift Or Purchase?

Bridesmaids typically pay for their dresses, shoes, bridal shower gifts, and bachelorette party festivities, so gifting them jewelry to wear on the wedding day is a great way to thank them for their time and financial investment in your special day. It also ensures that your bridesmaids' accessories complement their dresses and don't clash with your wedding jewelry. If you want your bridesmaids to wear specific jewelry, it's a good idea to buy it for them. However, if you're happy for them to choose their own accessories, you can give them a theme to work with or let their individuality shine through with unique pieces that reflect their style.

Should I let my bridesmaids choose their own jewellery?

There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to let your bridesmaids choose their own jewellery or not. Firstly, it depends on the level of control you want to have over their look. If you want your bridesmaids to have a uniform appearance, it might be better to choose their jewellery yourself. This can also ensure that nothing clashes with your dress and jewellery.

However, if you're happy for your bridesmaids to showcase their individual styles, letting them choose their own jewellery can be a great way to let their personalities shine through. It can also be a good option if you want to avoid the expense of buying jewellery for your bridesmaids. If you do go down this route, it's a good idea to give them some parameters, such as sticking to a particular colour metal or type of stone.

Another option is to choose a single piece of jewellery for everyone to wear, such as matching rings, necklaces or brooches, and let them select the other items themselves. This can be a good compromise, ensuring some consistency while still allowing for personal expression.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preference and the dynamic you have with your bridesmaids. If you're unsure, it might be worth discussing it with them and getting their input.

What if I want my bridesmaids to wear matching jewellery?

If you want your bridesmaids to wear matching jewellery, you have a few options. Firstly, you could ask them to purchase their own matching sets, but this may be an added expense for your bridal party. A more popular option is to gift your bridesmaids their jewellery, which they can then wear on the day. This can be a thoughtful way to ensure your bridesmaids look uniform and also saves them the trouble of choosing their own accessories.

If you decide to gift your bridesmaids their jewellery, you can choose to have each piece match exactly, or you can opt for a more personalised approach by buying different pieces for each bridesmaid. This can be a great way to make your gifts seem more individual and allows you to match a particular piece of jewellery to each dress. You could also differentiate the maid of honour by buying her a more luxurious piece of jewellery that matches what you are wearing.

When choosing matching jewellery, it is important to consider the style of your wedding. For a boho or rustic wedding, simple and understated jewellery is best. For a black-tie affair, diamonds, crystals, or rhinestones are a good choice. If your wedding is informal, simple jewellery such as dainty necklaces and earrings may be more appropriate.

It is also important to consider the neckline of your bridesmaids' dresses. For one-shoulder necklines, a simple necklace or no necklace at all is best, paired with eye-catching earrings and a bracelet. Strapless and sweetheart necklines call for stud earrings and a chunky necklace, while halter necklines typically don't require a necklace and can be paired with dangling earrings. V-neck dresses often suit delicate necklaces and teardrop or dangling earrings.

Remember, when it comes to matching bridesmaid jewellery, simple is often better. You don't want your bridesmaids' accessories to detract from your look or clash with their dresses.

When should I give my bridesmaids their jewellery?

There are several options for when to give your bridesmaids their jewellery gifts. You could present them with their jewellery at the rehearsal dinner, or at any time during the wedding day. You could also give it to them before the wedding, for example, at a special lunch or during a pampering session. Another option is to give it to them individually, at a time that feels right to you. If you want them to wear the jewellery during the wedding, it's a good idea to give it to them at a time when they can easily put it on, such as when you're all getting ready together.

It's a good idea to start looking for bridesmaid jewellery early on, in case you need to order more to ensure that each bridesmaid has a matching set. It's also worth noting that jewellery can serve as both a gift and an accessory for your bridesmaids, saving them the expense of buying their own.

How much should I spend on bridesmaid jewellery?

There is no set amount that you should spend on bridesmaid jewellery. The amount you spend will depend on your budget and what you want to gift your bridesmaids.

If you are buying jewellery for your bridesmaids, it can be a nice gesture to let them keep the pieces as a gift and a memento of your wedding. This also eliminates an added expense for your bridal party. If you are buying jewellery for your bridesmaids as gifts, there are no rules that say you have to buy the same piece for each person. You can mix it up and give different pieces of jewellery to each person, perhaps pairing a particular piece with each bridesmaid's dress.

If you are buying jewellery for your bridesmaids to wear on your wedding day, you may want to consider the style and vibe of your wedding. For example, for a boho or rustic wedding, simple and understated jewellery is a good option. For a black-tie affair, diamonds, crystals, or rhinestones that shimmer and shine are a great choice.

If you are buying jewellery as a gift for your bridesmaids, you may want to consider pieces that they will wear again. Delicate gold bracelets, freshwater pearl necklaces and earrings, and crystal stud earrings are timeless options that can be worn for many occasions.

What type of jewellery should I buy for my bridesmaids?

There are several factors to consider when choosing jewellery for your bridesmaids. Firstly, you should decide whether you want your bridesmaids' jewellery to match. This is a matter of personal preference, and it is also acceptable to let your bridesmaids choose their own jewellery. If you do want everything to match, you could buy a single item for everyone to wear, such as matching rings, necklaces, or brooches.

If you want to choose the jewellery yourself, it's important to consider the style of your wedding. For an informal wedding, simple items like dainty necklaces and earrings or jewellery sets with single stones may be appropriate. For a formal wedding, you might want to opt for flashier, more glamorous pieces. The rule of thumb is to stick to no more than two colours and two types of metal to avoid a confusing or busy look.

The fabric, colour, and neckline of the bridesmaid dresses are also important factors to consider. For one-shoulder necklines, for example, you might want to skip the necklace and focus on eye-catching earrings and a bracelet. For strapless and sweetheart necklines, stud earrings and a chunky necklace or choker are a good choice. Halter necklines typically don't require a necklace, and you can instead focus on dangling, sparkling earrings, a ring, or a bracelet. V-neck dresses go well with delicate necklaces, teardrop earrings, and perhaps a ring or bracelet. Sheer or illusion necklines are usually paired with no necklace to avoid snagging, and instead, cute, delicate earrings, a bracelet, and a single-stone ring.

Additionally, you might want to give your maid of honour slightly different jewellery to differentiate her role, perhaps something that matches your own jewellery.

Finally, it's a good idea to start looking for jewellery early and to let your bridesmaids know if you expect them to purchase their own jewellery or if you will be providing it.

Frequently asked questions